BritainAmericans Advantages?? Disadvantages?? On the Eve of the Revolution

LoyalistStrongholds

Washington’s Headaches Only 1/3 of the colonists were in favor of a war for independence [the other third were Loyalists, and the final third were neutral]. State/colony loyalties. Congress couldn’t tax to raise money for the Continental Army. Poor training [until the arrival of Baron von Steuben.

Exports & Imports:

Military Strategies Attrition [the Brits had a long supply line]. Guerilla tactics [fight an insurgent war  you don’t have to win a battle, just wear the British down] Make an alliance with one of Britain’s enemies. The AmericansThe British Break the colonies in half by getting between the No. & the So. Blockade the ports to prevent the flow of goods and supplies from an ally. “Divide and Conquer”  use the Loyalists.

Phase I: The Northern Campaign [ ]

Lexington and Concord April 1775

Paul Revere, frontman for hitmaking 1960s rock band the Raiders, dies at 76

Bunker Hill (June, 1775) The British suffered over 40% casualties.

Declaration of Independence “The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.” -John Adams (to his wife) -John Adams (to his wife)

Phase II: NY & PA [ ]

New York City in Flames (1776)

Washington Crossing the Delaware Painted by Emanuel Leutze, 1851

Saratoga: “Turning Point” of the War Saratoga: “Turning Point” of the War A modern-day re-enactment

Phase III: The Southern Strategy [ ]

Britain’s “Southern Strategy” Britain thought that there were more Loyalists in the South. Southern resources were more valuable/worth preserving. The British win a number of small victories, but cannot pacify the countryside [similar to U. S. failures in Vietnam!] Good US General: Nathanial Greene

The Battle of Yorktown (1781) Count de Rochambeau Admiral De Grasse

Cornwallis’ Surrender at Yorktown: Painted by John Trumbull, 1797 “The World Turned Upside Down!”

North America After the Treaty of Paris, 1783

Newburgh Conspiracy Crisis Officers in the Continental Army plotted to overthrow the government.Officers in the Continental Army plotted to overthrow the government. They were angry because they had not been paid.They were angry because they had not been paid. Washington convinced them not to go through with their plans.Washington convinced them not to go through with their plans.

Wholesale Price Index:

Federalist vs. Anti-Federalist Strongholds at the End of the War

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation A unicameral Congress [9 of 13 votes to pass a law]. 13 out of 13 to amend. Representatives were frequently absent. Could not tax or raise armies. No executive or judicial branches.

State Constitutions Republicanism. Most had strong governors with veto power. Most had bicameral legislatures. Property required for voting. Some had universal white male suffrage. Most had bills of rights. Many had a continuation of state- established religions while others disestablished religion.

Occupational Composition of Several State Assemblies in the 1780s

Indian Land Cessions:

Disputed Territorial Claims Between Spain & the U. S.:

State Claims to Western Lands

Land Ordinance of 1785

Northwest Ordinance of 1787 One of the major accomplishments of the Confederation Congress! Statehood achieved in three stages: 1.Congress appointed 3 judges & a governor to govern the territory. 2.When population reached 5,000 adult male landowners  elect territorial legislature. 3.When population reached 60,000  elect delegates to a state constitutional convention.

The United States in 1787

American Exports, To & From Britain:

Annapolis Convention (1786) 12 representatives from 5 states [NY, NJ, PA, DE, VA] GOAL  address barriers that limited trade and commerce between the states. Not enough states were represented to make any real progress. Sent a report to the Congress to call a meeting of all the states to meet in Philadelphia to examine areas broader than just trade and commerce.

Shays’ Rebellion: Daniel Shays Western MA Small farmers angered by crushing debts and taxes. Demonstrates the weakness of the AOC government because it cannot put down the rebellion

Shays’ Rebellion:

There could be no stronger evidence of the want of energy in our governments than these disorders. -- George Washington